NCJ Number
147098
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 45 Issue: 1 Dated: (1994) Pages: 3-14
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This is an evaluative study of a juvenile probationary project in which youth are ordered to pay restitution as a condition of probation.
Abstract
To facilitate compliance with restitution requirements, the juvenile court arranges for and supplies probationers employment. The evaluation examined demographic variables (age and sex) and court-related variables (plea, length of probation, amount of restitution, and amount and proportion paid) in relation to one another and to recidivism. Recidivism was measured by subsequent law violations that resulted in formal charges. The data show that recidivism was related to severity of the initial offense but more significantly to the youth's success in achieving the restitution goal. As measured by the amount of restitution paid relative to the amount ordered by the court, successful compliance with the restitution order was related to probation revocation, time given to pay, amount ordered, and subsequent offenses charged. The proportion of restitution paid was the most important predictor of recidivism. The data reinforce the dominant legislative position that an offender's ability to pay must be considered in ordering restitution. 1 table and 33 references